An up-and-coming forward is putting pressure on the Roosters’ pack, while a young playmaker is edging closer to an NRL call-up.
Meanwhile, if the Titans choose to rest David Fifita after Origin there’s an emerging second-rower ready to go.
Read on for the latest Reserve Grade Wrap.
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FOX LEAGUE PODCAST – KIERAN FORAN
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“You lose a lot when you lose Trell” | 00:48
ALL EYES WERE ON
Roosters fans should keep an eye on young halfback Sandon Smith. He was 18th man for the NRL side in Round 12 and is highly regarded at the club.
Smith set up four tries in the Roosters’ upset over Newtown. He also got two linebreak assists, ran for 66 metres and made 35 tackles with three misses. He kicked the matchwinning penalty goal in the 73rd minute too.
Naufahu Whyte can’t be far from a call-up either with the 21-year-old, who has played four NRL games season, is in a rich vein of form in NSW Cup. Whyte played a full game at prop and finished with a try, a linebreak, six tackle busts and 271 running metres — 124 post-contact — as well as 29 tackles with just one miss.
Panthers young gun Ryley Smith had his NSW Cup debut off the bench. Smith, who is regarded a future first-grade hooker, only played the final five minutes but still took two runs for 43 metres and got two tackle busts.
Titans second-rower Jacob Alick has been in outstanding form for feeder side Burleigh Bears and could come into contention for an NRL debut if Justin Holbrook rests David Fifita this week after Origin. 23-year-old Alick scored a try and set up two more in Burliehg’s big win on the weekend. He also got three linebreaks, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts and ran for 161 metres. Alick joined Burleigh before the 2022 season and juggled his footy with work at the movie cinemas before picking up a six-week train-and-trial with the Titans. He impressed enough to be signed on a two-year Top 30 deal.
Dolphins fan favourite Valynce Te Whare dropped back to Queensland cup after playing just four minutes in the NRL game on Thursday night. He was at his destructive best with a try, eight tackle busts and 205 running metres.
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STANDOUTS
Zac Cini carved up at fullback for the Eels in their shock win over the Bears, finishing with a try assist, a linebreak assist, 16 tackle busts and 312 running metres.
Jordan Rankin has spent majority of the season at five-eighth but shifted to halfback after the departure of Jake Arthur and looked right at home setting up two tries and running for 106 metres.
Ky Rodwell was also enormous in the win, scoring a try, getting a linebreak, six tackle busts and running for 2018 metres. He also made 31 tackles with just one miss.
Up-and-coming Rabbitoh Peter Mamouzelos scored in Souths’ 26-20 win over Canberra. He also set up another try, got a linebreak, a linebreak assist, four tackle busts and ran for 120 metres, while also making 23 tackles with one miss. Mamouzelos did however get sin-binned for a professional foul late in the game.
On the other side of the field, Brad Schneider was impressive at halfback for the Raiders, setting up three tries, getting three linebreak assists, running for 100 metres and making 20 tackles with one miss. At four tries a piece, his goalkicking did prove to be costly though.
Isaiah Iongi was electric at fullback for Penrith, setting up a try, getting a linebreak, two linebreak assists, four tackle busts and running for 181 metres, while Jesse McLean bagged a double on the wing and ran for 142 metres.
Cotter backs Tino to fire in Origin | 00:45
Speaking of fullbacks, Warriors rookie Taine Tuaupiki starred with a try assist, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, 10 tackle busts and 242 running metres, while Dragons talent Treigh Stewart bagged a double and set up another while also getting a linebreak, a linebreak assist, four tackle busts and 188 running metres.
Zane Musgrove and Ryan Couchman got through a mountain of work for the Dragons with the pair both topping the metre count for forwards (171) and making 23 and 24 tackles respectively.
Dylan Lucas is relishing his transition from centre to the second row with the Knights this season. He scored a double, got a linebreak, seven tackle busts and 189 running metres. He also made 29 tackles but did miss four.
Fill-in fullback David Armstrong made the most of his opportunity in the No.1 jersey, scoring a try, setting up another, getting a linebreak and running for 126 metres.
Meanwhile, Jake Toby returned from injury for Blacktown and had an immediate impact at fullback, scoring a try, setting up another, getting a linebreak, a linebreak assist and making 196 metres.
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Haas back as Blues prepare in Adelaide | 02:16
Siua Wong had his biggest metre-eating effort this season with 253 metres from 24 runs, while also making 33 tackles — 4 miss — in the Roosters’ win.
Daniel Atkinson and Mawene were impressive in a losing side. Hiroti bagged a double, got two linebreaks, eight tackle busts and 235 running metres, while Atkinson set up two tries and got three linebreak assists to go with his 101 metres.
Wynnum-Manly’s five-eighth Josh Rogers scored 22 of their 38 points with two tries and six conversions from six attempts. He also finished the game with two linebreaks, nine tackle busts and 140 metres.
Burleigh’s Guy Hamilton is continuing to show why he was named Halfback of the Year. Hamilton scored a try and set up two more, while getting a linebreak and 143 metres in their 52-nil win over Ipswich.
Tony Francis scored three of Burleigh’s nine tries — and two of them were in the first seven minutes. The 20-year-old winger also got three linebreaks, seven tackle busts and ran for a game-high of 230 metres.
Dolphins duo Oliver Gildart and Edrick Lee bagged two tries each while playing for CQ Capras. Gildart also set up a try, got three linebreaks, five tackle busts and 147 running metres, while Nixon Putt dominated in the second row with a try, two try assists, a linebreak and three linebreak assists.
Brisbane Tigers winger Kane Bradley bagged a double but Jack Miers’ boot sealed the two-point win with the halfback nailing all of his conversion attempts. Veteran forward Tariq Sims was also enormous in the win, running for 200 metres and making 22 tackles — no misses.
Broncos winger Jordan Pereira was all class for Souths Logan, scoring three tries, getting three linebreaks, nine tackle busts and running for 281 metres.
